Halyomorpha Halys Stal, the brown marmorated stink bug, was identified in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 2001, after homeowners alerted the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture of it invading their homes. The stink bug is currently thought to be present in approximately a 200 square mile area in four or five counties. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) are jointly planning to survey for the insect during July and August as adults emerge from the nymphal stage. The APHIS-PPQ Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey will include H. Halys in fiscal year 2003.

Halyomorpha Halys is considered an agricultural pest in Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan where it is native. Stink bugs damage fruit by feeding; early season feeding results in dimples or depressed areas on mature fruit that lower market value. Host plants include apple, apricot, cherry, citrus, paulownia, peach, pear, persimmon, and soybean. In particular, it is considered a fairly significant pest of soybean.